League News

Today, USL Championship announced that Republic FC goalkeeper Danny Vitiello’s stoppage time save at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on April 6 has been voted the Fans’ Choice Save of the Week for Week 5.

The all-out diving effort capped off Republic FC’s complete performance, preserving the team’s clean sheet late in the match. As Switchbacks FC sent numbers forward, a shot in traffic took an unlucky deflection and appeared headed for the left corner. Vitiello’s outstretched hand kept the ball out of net before the final whistle sounded moments later.

The shutout was the 35^th regular season clean sheet of Vitiello’s career, moving him into the league’s all-time top 10. He is also Republic FC’s all-time club leader with 26 clean sheets across all competitions. Heading into Week 6, he is tied for the league lead with three clean sheets and has the best goals-against average (0.25) among keepers with at least four appearances.

This is Vitiello’s second consecutive win of the weekly fan vote, and his fourth as a member of Republic FC. Last week, Vitiello won the poll for a 79^th minute denial in Republic FC’s 1-0 win over Memphis 901 FC on March 30. Alongside Vitiello, Republic FC received recognition for every weekly league honor this week – forward Russell Cicerone was nominated for Goal of the Week and earned a spot on Team of the Week alongside defender Lee Desmond.

Vitiello and the Indomitable Club are back in Sacramento to defend home turf this tomorrow hosting Western Conference newcomer FC Tulsa at Heart Health Park. Since the start of the 2023 season, no club has been stronger at home than Republic FC, claiming 14 USL wins with a goal differential of +25 and 11 clean sheets. Kickoff for the match is set for 7:00 p.m. PT and tickets are available now at SacRepublicFC.com/Tickets. The match will be broadcast live in English and Spanish on FOX40, Antenna TV 40.2 and streaming on FOX40.com, through the FOX40 News mobile app, and on ESPN+.

• Forward netted a brace in Saturday’s season opener against Orange County SC, only player across league with 2 scores on opening weekend
• Amann is just the 2^nd Republic FC player to score two goals in club debut
• The first former League One player to earn a brace in their USL Championship debut

Today, USL Championship announced that Republic FC Trevor Amann has been named the Player of the Week for Week 1 and has been selected to the USL Championship Team of the Week. Amann earned 45 percent of the ballot to claim the award, voted on by the USL National Media Panel. With two goals in his first appearance for Republic FC on March 9, Amann is the second player to net a brace in his club debut and the first former USL League One player to do so in his Championship debut.Behind Amann’s brace, the Indomitable Club extended its league-leading home opener unbeaten streak to 10 matches.

Amann opened the scoring in the 28^th minute, heading home his first career USL Championship goal assisted by Cristian Parano from the left flank. Amann became the 10^th Republic FC player to score in his opening night debut for the club. His second score came in the 77^th minute and put him in the Republic FC record books again. One on one with his defender, Amann worked to get enough space to send a left-footed rocket into the upper 90 at the near post, sending the sold out crowd at Heart Health Park into a frenzy.

Amann played all 90 minutes in his Republic FC debut and led all players with five shots. He was also the only player across USL Championship to score a brace on opening night.

The 25-year-old joined Republic FC in the offseason after a record-setting campaign in USL League One in 2023. With his hometown side Northern Colorado Hailstorm, the 2023 Player of the Year set a League One regular season record with 23 goals, which also secured him the Golden Boot. His brace on Saturday makes him the only League One alumni to net two goals in his debut in USL Championship since League One’s inaugural 2020 season.

This is Amann’s first selection to the USL Championship Team of the Week and his first USL Championship Player of the Week honor. He is the first Republic FC player to earn the weekly distinction since Rodrigo Lopez in August 2022. His selection to the Team of the Week also marks the third consecutive year that a club debutant has scored in the opening match and made the Week 1 top squad. Last year in League One, Amann earned 10 selections to Team of the Week and twice got the nod as Player of the Week.

Republic FC will head out on the road this Saturday, facing Eastern Conference side Miami FC for the two clubs’ only regular-season contest of the year. Kickoff from FIU Football Stadium in Miami is set for 4:00 p.m. PT and the match be broadcast live in English and Spanish on Antenna TV 40.2 and streaming on FOX40.com and through the FOX40 News mobile app. 

Today, USL Championship announced that Republic FC forward Trevor Amann’s 27th minute goal from last Saturday’s match vs. Orange County SC has been nominated for USL Championship Goal of the Week for Week 1. Voting is open now through 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 14 at USLChampionship.com.

Amann’s score, his first with the club and his first in USL Championship, came in the 27^th minute. As Sacramento pushed into the attacking third, the forward got his head on a cross from Cristian Parano, sending the ball into the back of the net for the opening goal of the match. It was his first of two goals on the night – Amann would net a second in the 77^th minute to make him the second Republic FC player to score twice in his club debut.

This is Amann’s first career nomination for USL Championship goal of the week. In 2023, he was named the USL League One Player of the Year after winning the Golden Boot with 23 scores and adding three more in the postseason.

Voting is open now through 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 14 at USLChampionship.com. Republic FC continues its season with its first test on road next Saturday as the club heads east to face Miami FC. Kickoff from FIU Football Stadium in Miami is set for 4:00 p.m. PT and the match be broadcast live in English and Spanish on Antenna TV 40.2 and streaming on FOX40.com and through the FOX40 News mobile app.

• Pilot-year initiative places promising coaches with USL Championship and League One clubs to gain valuable experience, insight
• W League Head Coach Lekeisha Gumbs of Chicago City SC to join in residency with Republic FC’s technical staff

Today, The United Soccer League (USL) announced that Republic FC will participate in the league’s new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program: USL Forward. The multi-dimensional, leaguewide initiative focuses on professional development for technical staff, league and club executives, and local communities with the intention of increasing racial and gender diversity in leadership roles throughout the USL ecosystem.

“The development of the next generation of coaches is vital to the growth of the USL and soccer in America,” said Paul McDonough, USL President and Chief Soccer Officer. “To make progress in this area, up-and-coming coaches of all backgrounds need opportunities to gain expertise and experience at higher levels. USL Forward represents our commitment to expanding those opportunities for coaches in the USL ecosystem and having a real and long-term impact on coaching in our country.”

“USL Forward represents a bold and necessary step towards progress for our ecosystem, and the broader soccer landscape,” USL Vice President of DEI and Community Impact. “Building this platform along with its associated initiatives to drive diversity and equity has been a rewarding exercise in collaboration, and ultimately demonstrates what we can accomplish when we work from an ethos of shared understanding. I am confident that USL Forward’s initiatives such as the Pro Preseason Residency program, our Coaching Diversity Scholarships, and future endeavors will result in the type of systemic transformation that needs to happen to work with intent towards continuous improvement while simultaneously sustaining a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive ecosystem.”

In February, Republic FC will host Lekeisha Gumbs through the USL Pro Preseason Residency (PPR) Program. In its pilot year, the PPR Program is designed to identify high-performing, pro-aspiring BIPOC and women coaches and place them in a professional environment with an established curriculum. Gumbs is the head coach of the USL W League’s Chicago City SC and is currently a UEFA A License candidate. She guided Chicago to the 2023 USL W League Playoffs in her first season as head coach. In Sacramento, she will receive an immersive experience and real-world training and mentoring as she is embedded into Republic FC’s training environment as a resident coach.

“I am excited to be part of the pilot year of the USL Pro Preseason Residency Program. I am thrilled to be gaining experience shadowing fellow British coach Mark Briggs, in a setting which is new to me as a coach, said Lekeisha Gumbs. “I have gained all my experience working in the female side of the game, but I am enthusiastic to see the game from a different perspective.”

“February is the perfect time for Lekeisha to see everything that goes into getting a team ready for the upcoming season – on and off the field. We’re looking forward to having her join us here in Sacramento and supporting her coaching journey,” said Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs.

USL has developed the PPR Program following extensive research and interviews with stakeholders and subject matter experts, to address the numerous factors that affect black, indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) and women candidates seeking leadership opportunities on the sideline and in the front office. Following her time in Sacramento, the PPR Program will continue to support Gumbs through mentoring and other touchpoints as she returns to Chicago.

To read USL’s full announcement about the USL Forward program, the participating resident coaches and club, and the next phases, visit USLSoccer.com.

Between the posts, Republic FC goalkeeper Danny Vitiello continuously stepped up for his club in big moments, setting the stage for a career year that saw him win a second-career Golden Glove and the USL Championship Goalkeeper of the Year award.

To close out the season, USL Championship announced today that Vitiello is among the 16 finalists for the league’s Fans’ Choice Save of the Year competition. Voting is open now through Sunday, December 10 at 9:00 p.m. PT at USLChampionship.com, as well as on the USL Mobile App.

With his club up 1-0 on New Mexico United in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, Vitiello kept the visitors off the board with an impressive save to show why he deserved his Goalkeeper of the Year award. A New Mexico corner kick was headed away, only to land near Justin Portillo who would take a well-paced shot on his first touch. Vitiello flew into the air to push the ball over the crossbar to keep the opponent scoreless.

Earlier today, USL Championship released the annual poll for Goal of the Year, asking fans to select the top score from the 2023 season. Republic FC received two nominations: Luis Felipe’s perfect set piece curler against San Antonio FC on June 24 and Russell Cicerone’s diving header against Las Vegas Lights FC on July 29. Voting for the first round is open now through Sunday, December 10 at 9:00 p.m. PT at USLChampionship.com and the USL Mobile App.

First-round voting for the honor is open now at USLChampionship.com in a bracket-style competition. The winners of each round will advance through the rounds until the Final at the end of December.

• First Republic FC Goalkeeper to win the annual league honor
• Earned All-League First Team honors, 2023 Golden Glove Award
• Became Republic FC’s all-time shutouts leader on October 14 with his 22^nd clean sheet with the club

Sacramento, Calif. – On Tuesday, the USL Championship announced Republic FC Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello as the winner of the league’s 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year award. Vitiello becomes the first Republic FC goalkeeper to earn the honor after recording a career high 11 clean sheets in the regular season and winning the league’s Golden Glove award for the second time in his career. Vitiello claimed 49% of the vote, beating out Oakland Roots SC’s Paul Blanchette, and Detroit City FC’s Nathan Steinwascher. League award winners are selected by team technical staffs, executives and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL Championship market. Voting was conducted following the conclusion of the 2023 Championship regular season.

“I’m incredibly humbled and honored to be named Goalkeeper of the Year, especially competing with some of the top guys and fiercest competitors out there, so hats off to them,” said Vitiello. “There is absolutely no way this award would be possible alone – I have to give a huge thank you and a lot of credit to my teammates, my coaches and the Sacramento Republic FC organization and fans. Thank you for driving my desire to be the best I can be every day and making my job easy. Playing soccer for a living has always been a dream of mine and I always promise never to take a day for granted.”

The Massapequa, New York native conceded only 25 goals across 30 appearances, and recorded 11 shutouts during the regular season. He tallied 82 saves – the best mark in a single season for his career, as well as a 76.2% save percentage. A league-best 0.83 goals against average earned him the league’s Golden Glove for the second time in his career, making him the second player in league history to earn the honor twice.

Vitiello’s play earned him league recognition throughout the season, including the only goalkeeper spot on the USL Championship All-League First Team. He was named to the league’s Team of the Week on two occasions during the regular season and earned two wins on five nominations for Save of the Week. On October 14, he became the club’s all-time shutouts leader. Republic FC’s 1-0 win over Miami FC in the regular season finale marked his 11^th clean sheet of the season and 22^nd across all competitions since joining the club ahead of the 2022 campaign, moving him past former Republic FC goalkeeper and 2021-22 Israeli Premier League MVP Josh Cohen for the most in club history.

Vitiello is the first Republic FC goalkeeper to win the annual league honor. He is the 12^th player to earn the award in league history, joining a list that includes current LAFC goalkeepers Maxime Crépeau (Ottawa Fury, 2018) and John McCarthy (Rochester Rhinos, 2014) – also the winner of the 2022 MLS Cup MVP and 2023 Concacaf Champions’ League Golden Glove – 2010 MLS Cup winner Matt Pickens (Nashville SC, 2019), and current D.C. United Head of Goalkeeping Diego Restrepo (San Antonio FC, 2017).

Season ticket memberships for the 2024 season are now on sale. To learn more about membership benefits – including how to secure the best seats at the lowest price per match – visit SacRepbulicFC.com/memberships.

On Tuesday, the USL Championship announced the 2023 All-League Teams, honoring the best players across the league for the season. Republic FC earned four selections – more than any other team this year. Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello, and defenders Conor Donovan and Jack Gurr were all named to the First Team, while forward Russell Cicerone earned a spot on the Second Team.

“We’re extremely proud and honored for Danny, Conor, Jack, and Russell to earn their first all-league selections,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “These awards are a testament to the tenacity and hard work of each of these individuals and also to the collective accomplishments of our entire team. We will look to build on the success our club saw in the 2023 season, giving us a new stepping stone for the next 10 seasons of soccer in Sacramento.”

Vitiello, Donovan, and Gurr were all core contributors to Republic FC’s league-leading defense – only conceding 26 goals in regular season play, with 14 shutouts. Both marks set new records for the Indomitable Club. The trio of First Team selections have been with Republic FC since the 2022 season. This is the first All-League First Team selection for each Vitiello, Donovan, and Gurr, and the fifth, sixth, and seventh for Republic FC players since 2014. Last year, midfielder Rodrigo Lopez earned his second-career First Team distinction.

Vitiello’s career year led to another Golden Glove campaign while writing his name into the Indomitable Club’s record books. In 29 appearances, he recorded a 76.2% save percentage – a career high. Vitiello claimed the 2023 Golden Glove with a regular season Goals Against Average of 0.83 – the second time he has won the league honor. With 11 clean sheets, Vitiello posted another career high and would become Republic FC’s all-time leader – taking the top spot from Josh Cohen. With the Conference Semifinal win over San Antonio, Vitiello also became the club’s winningest goalkeeper with 28 league wins.

Donovan appeared in all but one match in 2023, playing 2,745 minutes. He led the club’s defense in clearances (119), blocks (34), interceptions (39), headed clearances (63), and aerial duels won (71) – and was among the league leaders for defensive stats categories. The USL veteran also reached career milestones during the campaign, surpassing 200 career pro appearances and marking 15,000 USL Championship minutes. His game-winning goal in the Western Conference Quarterfinals against New Mexico would send Republic FC on to the Semifinal round.

On the right flank, Gurr had a breakout season in 2023, setting a new career high in goals (5) and assists (6). The Englishman played 2,627 minutes across 31 appearances and led the league’s defenders with 61 chances created and 208 crosses, while also leading Republic FC’s defense with 28 tackles won. Throughout the campaign, he earned five selections to the USL Championship Team of the Week.

Cicerone earns his first career All-League Second Team selection in his first season with Republic FC. He appeared in every regular season match – the only player to do so this season, and led the team in scoring with 15 goals, including the club’s record-breaking 51^st goal of the regular season, while also adding four assists. He earned recognition across the league, including five Team of the Week selections, three Goal of the Week nominations (with one win), and was voted the May Player of the Month after bagging his second career hat trick on May 13 against Indy Eleven. He becomes the eighth Republic FC player to be named to the Second Team.

For the league’s full announcement of the 2023 All-League Selections, visit USLChampionship.com.

Republic FC will now begin building its roster for the 2024 USL Championship season. In January, the club will host its annual Open Tryout, when the region’s best players get the opportunity to impress the team’s technical staff and earn an invitation to training camp. Registration will open early December.

Season ticket memberships for the 2024 season are now on sale. To learn more about membership benefits – including how to secure the best seats at the lowest price per match – visit SacRepbulicFC.com/memberships.